Madras High Court restrains recitation of Nama Sankeerthanam in residential locality without Collector's permission

The Hindu

16-07-2025

Observing that what could be divine music to the ears of some might actually turn out to be a nuisance for others, the Madras High Court on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) restrained the use of a residential house for the recitation of Nama Sankeerthanam (congregational chanting of the names of Hindu Gods) unless the Collector grants permission for using the premises as a prayer hall.
Justice N. Anand Venkatesh said, the law should apply equally to all, and that no religious group could use such premises for congregational prayers without the Collector's nod. 'Peace is the best prayer and silence is the greatest prayer. The day people realise this truth, they will not disturb others by indulging in loud and noisy ways of praying to God,' the judge said.
The observations were made during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Prakash Ramachandran of Krishnamachari Street at Radha Nagar in Chromepet, Chengalpattu district. The petitioner had complained that a private organisation named Global Organisation for Divinity (GOD) had opened its office on the residential premises belonging to his neighbour T.S. Subramanian.
The petitioner had complained of Nama Sankeerthanam being recited on the premises, causing disturbance to other residents of the locality. However, the private respondents filed a counter affidavit claiming they had the consent of all the other neighbours for the recitation and that their religious rights had been safeguarded under Article 25 (freedom of religion) of the Constitution.
The private respondents also contended that uttering the names of Gods would only help in bringing peace of mind and serve as a remedy for all troubles and sorrows. However, the judge said, any prayer should remain confined within the four walls of a house and not end up causing disturbance to others. He also said, it was not necessary for all the residents in a locality to come to the court complaining about disturbance.
Referring to an order passed by him restraining the use of residential houses for Christian congregational prayers in Kanniyakumari district without obtaining the Collector's nod, the judge told the respondents' counsel: 'The same will apply here too. Except the change in the name of God, all other things are the same. How can you have Nama Sankeerthanam without Collector's nod?'
When the counsel stated her clients had already made a representation to the Chengalpattu Collector seeking permission, the judge ordered the recitation must not take place in the residential locality until the Collector grants permission and directed the Inspector of Chitlapakkam police station to ensure the court order was complied with in letter and spirit.